Pathways and Perceptions
Fairness and Trust in Late Working Life: Older Workers’ Perception in Sweden
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Indre Genelyte, Lijun Peng
This paper explores older workers’ perceptions of fairness and trust in late working life in Sweden. Drawing on qualitative data analyzed through thematic analysis, the study investigates how individuals experience and view general fair treatment and the possibility of extending working lives, as well as their confidence in governmental and institutional support. Four overarching themes emerged: (1) Individual agency and recognitions, highlighting older workers’ resilience and need for value of their experience and societal recognition of their continuous contribution; (2) Workplace culture and organizational dynamics, revealing persistent ageism, digital exclusion, and unequal treatment across sectors; (3) Structural conditions and inequalities, emphasizing systemic barriers such as pension insecurity, legal circumvention, and mismatches between skills and labor market demands; and (4) Trust in institutions and policy expectations, reflecting mixed confidence in governments’ ability to ensure fairness and support extended working lives. Findings suggest that while many older workers feel personally treated fairly, they see broader structural and cultural injustices affecting others. Trust in government varies, with calls for stronger policy measures, employer accountability, and inclusive labor market reforms. The study contributes to understanding how ageing workers navigate late career transitions and what public policy responses are needed to promote equal prolongation of late working life.
Featured Applied Gerontological Service Model Design in Rural Regions with Participatory Rural Appraisal Methodology: An Example in the Ibradi District of Antalya Province
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Özlem Özgür, Gülüşan Özgün Başıbüyük
Current demographic shift trend necessitates the development of new, sustainable services for older adults. This paper shares methodology and findings of research that developed an Applied Gerontological Service Model for older adults in the rural areas of İbradı, Antalya. The study adopted a qualitative research approach using Participatory Rural Appraisal Techniques. Data were collected from 14 elderly individuals, 8 professionals and 30 participants through semi-structured interviews, social mapping and Venn diagram. Employing maximum sample triangulation method, evaluations were made through thematic analysis, descriptive method and SWOT analysis. The analysis of interviews with the elderly emphasized the living situation of the elderly in İbradı, their basic needs, care problems and reachability and accessibility to services. The opinions of professionals were about living situation of the elderly, their needs, and participation in services and activities. Research findings showed that elderly people in rural areas face multidimensional challenges: limited health services, low accessibility to services, loneliness and social isolation. Risk factors were low education level, loneliness, high number of elderly population and need for care. Within the framework of environment and person adaptation theory, the proposed model envisages creating intervention areas by considering the health, psychological, physical, social, economic and environmental needs of the elderly. The model aims to increase the diversity, accessibility and quality of services in cooperation with local institutions and organisations.
Disaster Management, Preparedness for Crises, Intervention, Recovery Strategies and Models for the Elderly View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Ismail Tufan, Özlem Özgür, Fatma Gülsima Agildere
Disasters are worldwide events varying according to different geographic regions, with negative impacts on lives. Their effects on individuals under the influence of such events change by age, gender and socio-economic status. During and after a disaster, elderly individuals may be more fragile compared to other social groups. Particularly chronic diseases, mobility limitations, and decline in sensory organs and cognitive functions can make older individuals more vulnerable to risky situations. Türkiye is in a region where disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides are frequent. Disasters disrupt the usual order of the social system, presenting a problem that needs to be addressed, which is the vulnerability of the elderly who are part of the social system. Frailty in older individuals can negatively impact their physical and mental health. Therefore, special precautions and protection and support mechanisms for the elderly are crucial. One mission of gerontology is to examine the challenges of aging and develop strategies to overcome them. Developing solutions to the challenges, needs, and problems faced by older individuals in disaster situations and increasing their resilience can be possible through sustainable strategies developed from a gerontological perspective. Therefore, it is essential that disaster strategies in Türkiye be planned and implemented specifically for the elderly. Setting out from the disaster gerontology concept, this study answers the question of how the elderly should be assisted in disaster-related crises, introducing models that are hypothesized to be applicable in disasters and warrant empirical testing.
